Page 2 of Heal Me

“Excuse me,” I say to no one in particular as I spot a familiar face. Working my way over, I tap my ex-boyfriend on the shoulder.

William turns and with exaggerated wide eyes pulls me in for a big bear hug. “Char, I can’t believe you’re out! Are you okay? Do you have a fever?” He dramatically places a hand on my forehead. William is much taller than I am with fair skin, light-brown hair, and playful brown eyes. He might be the most laid-back person I’ve ever met. Nothing is serious, and life is one big party according to William. It drove me nuts.

I playfully knock his hand away. “Yeah, yeah.”

Everyone at the table looks at me, and the girl seated to William’s left gives me a not-so-friendly smile. “Charlotte Patel, this is my girlfriend, Allie Kendrick,” William introduces us.

“Hey, Allie,” I say.

“How do you know William?” The new girlfriend is beautiful, with long platinum-blonde hair and expertly applied makeup. Like Jen, she’s wearing a form-fitting crop top and short skirt. I missed the half shirt-half skirt memo. Not that I would ever wear something that revealing. Instead of the dreaded freshman fifteen, my body waited until I was a senior to pack on a few extra pounds. Senior sixteen. It’s not a thing, but my body likewise missed that memo.

“We used to date,” I say with a friendly smile, pushing my insecurities away.

“Really?” she says, eyeing me up and down. She apparently doesn’t consider me a threat as she turns back to the girl on her left and they continue their conversation.

“Char, come by the house tomorrow night. It’s a luau party and I’m in the hula competition. You know I’ve got the best moves you’ve ever seen,” he says and then rises, demonstrating those “moves,” shaking his hips in an exaggerated way.

“Goofball.” I laugh. “Maybe next time. I have an exam coming up.”

“Char is going to be a doctor,” he leans over, telling his girlfriend. Allie gives me a bored look and returns to her conversation. I don’t see me and William’s new girlfriend becoming fast friends. “Couldn’t you just share some of those book smarts with the rest of us?”

“I’m happy to share a tip. Don’t leave your homework lying around for the dog to eat it.”

“Hey, that happened one time!”

I laugh. William swears up and down their frat house bulldog named Pledge actually ate his homework. “Bye.”

“Got a grass skirt with your name on it,” he calls after me.

Returning to our table, I find Jen in the same position, meaning all over Elliot. Collins has brought in a replacement named Nichole. So I’m a fifth wheel. I sigh as I look at my watch.

I spot friends from class and go say hello. “Charlotte, I can’t believe you’re out! You’re never out!” Stephanie Richmond says, tucking a curly piece of her long, naturally golden-blonde hair behind her ear, her baby-blue eyes bright with humor. She’s wearing a leopard-print sleeveless jumpsuit that would look ridiculous on me, but looks amazing on her hourglass figure.

“I know, right?” Zoe Davis chimes in, flipping her lustrous black hair that she’s pulled back in a high ponytail. Like me, Zoe’s heritage is diverse—her mother is from Japan and her dad is from the United States, having met when her dad was stationed overseas. Unlike me, she’s wearing a form-fitting halter top and leather miniskirt. I stick out at this bar like a sore thumb.

“So I don’t go out much,” I grumble.

“Jen and Elliot are together?” Stephanie eyes them across the patio.

I shrug. “I think so. They’re certainly acting like it. Have you guys had a chance to look at the assignment from—”

“No!” they both shout at the same time.

“There is no talking about an assignment at a bar,” Stephanie informs me.

“That is the assignment. Got it?” Zoe says. “You’re already accepted to Harvard; you can take a breath and relax, for Chrissake.”

“Have any acceptance letters come in for y’all?” I ask.

“You’re looking at a future U of M dental school student.” Stephanie flashes her pearly whites. She does have amazing teeth, and with her pretty face, she’s a walking billboard for dental work.

“That’s awesome. Congrats!” I say. “How about you, Zoe?”

“I’m still waiting to hear back from a few med schools,” she says with a guarded look. She glances at her phone. “We’re gonna go check out Muddy Bottom Bar. My brother’s band is playing.”

“I didn’t know your brother was in a band.”

“See what you miss in the library?” she retorts.

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